Sport - Cricket

Money not the issue: Clarke

Melbourne: Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has dismissed suggestions that the World champion was after more money and less work, insisting that players are only concerned about their careers being cut short due to too much cricket.

Players are negotiating their new contracts with Cricket Australia amid reports that Ricky Ponting’s men want their workload cut down and pay-cheques increased.

“I can guarantee that’s certainly not the case,” said Clarke.

“The major issue with the players at the moment is because of the amount of cricket going on, and that includes all forms of the game, guys careers are not going to last as long as they used to. That’s the worrying factor,” he insisted.

Clarke also felt money-spinning ventures like the Indian Premier League will change the system of contracts so drastically that cricketers may start getting paid on a per-game basis in the next couple of years.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how contracts work in two years time, if you can still get a (Cricket Australia) CA contract or you’re paid per game,” said Clarke.

Clarke, who reportedly earned $1 million this season, did not play in the inaugural IPL but is likely to be hot property among the franchises when the bidding starts for the next edition in April.

He said it would be interesting to see how the players balance their international commitments with participation in the cash-rich league.

“I’m very interested to see over the next couple of years how all these tournaments can go forward and yet you can still represent your country in all forms of the game,” he said.

Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Paul Marsh said the amount of cricket being played currently is “unprecedented” and in such a busy schedule it would be extremely taxing, if they are asked to do too many promotional events. — Agencies

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